HEAP program begins July 1

Lisa Patt-McDaniel, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development, announced that funding to assist eligible households with summer cooling costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program Summer Crisis Program is available beginning on July 1 through Aug. 31.

The HEAP Summer Crisis Program, administered by the Department’s Community Development Division, provides assistance to low-income households with an elderly member (60 years or older), or households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. These households are eligible for electric bill payment assistance up to $175. Residents are encouraged to work with their local community action, job and family services, and faith-based organizations for additional assistance.

The gross income of eligible households must be at or below 175 percent of the 2009 federal poverty guidelines listed below: (Size of household and income) 1, up to $18,952.50; 2, up to $25,497.50; 3, up to $32,042.50; 4, up to $38,587.50; 5, up to $45,132.50; 6, up to $51,677.50; 7, up to $58,222.50; 8, up to $64,767.50. For households with more than eight members, add $6,545 for each additional member.

For more information, call the toll-free HEAP hotline at 1 (800) 282-0880. The hearing impaired may dial 1 (800) 686-1557 for assistance.

OLBH hosts Women’s Health Luncheon

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will host a free luncheon concerning women’s health with an emphasis on prevention. The luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. June 17 on the fifth floor of Bellefonte Centre, 1000 Ashland Drive, Russell, Ky., on the OLBH campus. OLBH’s director of Medical Education, Gail Feinberg, D.O., will be the featured speaker.

To RSVP for the free luncheon, call the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-2273.

TRAC meeting is Thursday

Ohio’s Transportation Review Advisory Council is scheduled to convene its next meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Central Office, 1980 West Broad St., Room GA, Columbus. This will be a voting session.

ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, who serves as chair of the council, will lead the discussion on adoption of the TRAC’s 2009 Project Application Guidelines and proposed schedule. Utilizing new scoring criteria approved by the council last year, the TRAC is being asked to accept new applications for future Major New Construction Projects and updated applications from existing Tier II projects, where the project sponsors seek continued funding for development or construction. It is anticipated that the TRAC will hold public hearings around the state in September and October to meet with project sponsors.

Among the other actions to be taken by the TRAC, a vote is expected on a cost and scheduling adjustment for the Interstate 75 Mill Creek Expressway project in Hamilton County.